Product Key and Activation

Bill, thank you for a quick response. I’m sorry I did not provide you with accurate information. What I did I used a app called kill disk to completely erase my hard drive and I want to install a new OS.      

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Original question

I just completed erasing all data from my laptop, I want to do a fresh installation of Windows 8.1 64bit single language. I already have downloaded it from the Microsoft website. My question is how and from where do I get a product key and activate my computer. Your help is appreciated. Thank You and God Bless!!!

Joseph M Ropinski

As to your original question

If you read all of my reply, I explained everything about the product key.

If you don't at least read what I post, what is the point of me posting it?

And you still don't tell me if you bought 8.1 yourself or if it came preinstalled.

You will have to use the information I have already posted.

Bill, thank you for a quick response. I’m sorry I did not provide you with accurate information. What I did I used a app called kill disk to completely erase my hard drive and I want to install a new OS.  

———————————————

Original question

I just completed erasing all data from my laptop, I want to do a fresh installation of Windows 8.1 64bit single language. I already have downloaded it from the Microsoft website. My question is how and from where do I get a product key and activate my computer. Your help is appreciated. Thank You and God Bless!!!

Joseph M Ropinski

Are we to assume that you either bought Windows 8.1 yourself of it came preinstalled on a Dell, HP, etc.

And if you erased all data on your hard drive you must have used a disk drive to do that as Windows will not delete itself.

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Read through this and pick out what you can and can't do:

Here are the Key/s to press at Boot to start the Recovery Process back to Factory Settings (new condition). Under each Manufacturer in the list below are the instructions in the respective links for you to follow on how to use their Recovery Partition

Acer – Press Left Alt + F10 Keys.

"Use Acer eRecovery application to restore your system or create recovery media"

http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/29934/~/use-acer-erecovery-application-to-restore-your-system-or-create-recovery-media

Asus – Press F9

This is how to use the Asus Recovery process.

http://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1006133/

Dell – Press F8 which will bring up Advanced Boot Options 

"Restore Windows 8 using the Factory image restore method in Dell Backup and Recovery"

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN155115/EN

Dell Alienware:

What is and How to use AlienRespawn

eMachines: Press Left Alt Key + F10

eMachines Support - Answers, E-Mail, Chat - Restore Windows with a ...

Fujitsu – Press F8

restore to factory setting. - Fujitsu Support Forum

Gateway: Press Alt + F10 Keys - As Acer owns them: press Left Alt + F10 Keys as per Acer eRecovery

Using Gateway Recovery Management to Restore Windows 8

HP – Press F11 repeatedly at Boot.

Follow these HP steps to do a Recovery to Factory Settings (new condition).

HP PCs - Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 8) | HP ...

HP PCs - Resetting Your PC to Resolve Problems (Windows 8) | HP ...

Lenovo – Press F11

https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/ht077084#restore

LG – Press F11 at Boot

Packard Bell: Press and hold the ALT key while pressing repeatedly the F10 key. Release the keys when a message displays that Windows is loading files.

““Using Packard Bell Recovery Management to Restore Windows 8”

http://packard-bell-scandic.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a\_id/26280/~/using-packard-bell-recovery-management-to-restore-windows-8

Samsung – Press F4 at Boot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0CiBXuMVGo

Sony Vaio – Tap F10 until the Edit Boot Options screen is displayed

https://us.en.kb.sony.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/36806/c/65,66/kw/windows 8 assist/

Toshiba – Press 12

http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/support/items/faq/776

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Or:

Windows 8.1: Reset To Factory Settings and Remove Personal Data

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You can contact the Laptop/Computer Manufacturer and order Recovery Media from them for a small cost.

You can download and create your own Windows 8.1 Installation Media to reinstall the Operating System with..

"Create installation media for Windows 8.1"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

"Download Windows 8.1"

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you

"Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/create-installation-media-windows-81

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you're in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

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"How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

   Warning

This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

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To access BIOS/UEFI - UEFI/EFI configuration:

https://neosmart.net/wiki/boot-usb-drive/

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How to clean install:

"How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

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With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

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If you do wish to/need to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

You can also use:

"Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit (Version 8.5c)"

http://www.belarc.com/free\_download.html

Or:

"Product KeyFinder"

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Cheers.